VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State shot a team score of 299 (11-over par) Monday in the first round of the Hurricane Invitational, and sits two strokes out of ninth place with one round left at Doublegate Country Club.

Heavy rain forced tournament officials to cut Monday's schedule from 36 holes to 18, and the event was shortened from 54 holes to 36. The final round is Tuesday.

The Blazers sit two strokes behind Wingate and Georgia College, who are tied for ninth at 297, and one stroke behind Columbus State and Florida Southern, who are tied for 11th at 298. Mississippi Christian is 14th at 301. Georgia Southwestern, the tournament host, leads at 283 (5 under), followed by Lincoln Memorial at 284 and Nova Southeastern at 286.

Alexander Nilehn led Valdosta State with an even-par 72, tying for 14th individually. He made the turn at 2 under after birdies on the fourth, sixth and eighth holes, including a 2 on the par-3 sixth. He added a birdie on the 13th but gave strokes back with bogeys on the 11th, 15th and 18th holes.

William Carestam shot 75 (3 over) to tie for 43rd, going 39 on the front nine and 36 on the back. David Wagner and Jimmy Cohen each shot 76 (4 over) and tied for 51st. Both shot 38 on each nine.

Adam Waller shot 78 (6 over) to tie for 67th. He opened with a 41, which included a birdie on the par-3 second hole, and came home in 37, closing with a birdie on the 18th.

Competing as individuals, William Ekeroth shot 81 (9 over) to tie for 78th, and Kaleb Shiver shot 84 (12 over) to finish 81st.

The Blazers return to action at 8:30 a.m. for the final round of the tournament.

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